Jettech to install a Sandel SA4550 primary attitude display, SN4500 primary navigation displays and associated equipment into a Cessna 500 to obtain WAAS approval for a Garmin GNS-400W/500W global navigation system with an FGS-70 automatic flight control system, STC ST10945SC
Toughbook Meets New Mil Durability Specs Panasonic says its Toughbook 30 laptop, Toughbook 19 convertible tablet and Toughbook U1 ultra mobile handheld computers have performed to and above the military's new standard for mobile computers—Mil-Std-810G. Meeting this standard involved passing 20 tests, as well as IP65 ingress protection and ASTM D4169-04 vehicle vibration tests.
Latin American maintenance, repair and overhaul providers continue to expand their offerings in the worldwide MRO market, with new capabilities and certifications coming on line all the time. With increasing numbers of new-generation Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer jets being delivered into the region, and still hundreds of older-generation aircraft needing more intensive maintenance, the potential market from Latin carriers alone is enough to spur MRO development in the region.
Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services reissued STCs to install various communications and electronic systems on a range of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft, Several STCs
Boeing has closed a deal with the government for the purchase of 15 CH-147F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. The program includes a 20-year in-service support and maintenance contract worth about $2.2 billion, almost twice as much as the $1.2-billion price of the helicopters. The contract includes an option to extend MRO to the life expectancy of the aircraft. No word has been released yet as to whether Boeing or a local company will be responsible for maintenance services.
Avantext , a provider of an airworthiness directive regulatory compliance and technical publications software tools for the aviation industry, moved into new offices in Conshohocken, Penn.
The Brazilian Air Force selected Vector Helicopter Services-North America to support its fleet of 32 Bell H-1H helicopters under a five-year agreement worth $15 million. Vector will provide in-country support for airframe inspection, repair services and logistics from a military facility. Its Andalusia, Ala. facility also will repair dynamic components and overhaul transmissions, gearboxes and hydraulics.
It’s competitive out there. Sales teams are working harder to get contracts, and they are often required to be more creative in crafting winning solutions. For instance, in mid-September Delta TechOps won its first Boeing 747 component MRO contract since merging with Northwest Airlines by teaming with Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. in Taiwan.
The Hammonds Cos. named Jeff Hammonds general manager. Hammonds formerly managed the Hammonds Additive Injector System production floor and has been involved in the company's launch of its Omni Directional Vehicle and in technical sales.
Aerospace executives hope to continue making inroads on their long quest to simplify and ease U.S. export controls on certain aerospace parts with a White House and congressional review of the U.S. export control system. President Obama in August directed the National Economic Council and National Security Council to undertake a broad interagency review of the U.S. export control system, according to a White House statement. The review is to include both the dual-use and defense trade processes.
Green Cleaning Solvents Dysol's DS-Series of environmentally compliant cleaning solvents will be available through Socomore Finishing Solutions in the European Union, Russia, and China, per a recent strategic partnership formed between Dysol and Socomore. Dysol also will distribute Socomore's surface finishing and aerospace products, which are fully approved by Airbus and a number of other aerospace companies. Dysol says the Socomore products also are gaining approval at North American OEMs and MRO companies.
LONDON—The U.K. Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) has made 14 safety recommendations for changes to equipment, maintenance procedures and operational security for A319 aircraft. These key changes appear in its newly published final report into a serious inflight electrical system failure on an EasyJet A319 in September 2006.
DART Helicopter Services named Steven E. Joseph general manager, a newly created position. Joseph formerly was president of Geneva, an ENG design, integration and installation services provider.
Pacific Aerospace Resources & Technologies (PART) bought out Victorville Aerospace’s assets in August, finally anchoring that company after it filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 last September. PART plans to grow its new Victorville base, where it will offer MRO, modifications, asset and maintenance management, mission critical systems development and integration, platform technologies and flight test services to military and commercial customers from a hangar large enough to host an Airbus A380. Facilities
ARINC Engineering Services Ltd. of Annapolis, Md., was the sole bidder on a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for logistics support of up to 17 Russian Mi-17 helicopters procured for the Iraqi air force by the U.S. Army. The contract, valued at approximately $11 million, includes maintenance services and training in Iraq, and runs through Nov. 3, 2010.
‘Ecological’ Paint The Mankiewicz base coat/clear coat system recently gained Airbus approval for use on its entire fleet of aircraft, making the Hamburg paint manufacturer one of three approved as a paint supplier for Airbus exteriors. Applied in thin layers, Mankiewicz’s coating system is designed to save operators time and money up-front and in maintenance work.
Siam Hiller Holdings reissued STC to install Allison 250-C18A, -C18C, -C20, -C20B engine and related changes on various Bell 47G helicopters, STC SH657NW
According to Greek legend, Prometheus brought fire to Earth by lighting a torch from the sun’s chariot. That same fire is being harnessed today at General Electric’s Repair Technology Center of Excellence, taking the form of a laser beam. The center’s research teams are finding more uses of this modern technology to repair a widening range of parts.
Avoiding areas of dangerous turbulence at cruise altitude is what every pilot is trained to do. The problem is that using conventional radars can be an intensive manual process that adds to pilot workload. And interpreting the information on the display may not lead to the safest way to avoid the worst parts of a storm.
What are two of the biggest hurdles to the wider adoption of supply chain software tools in the MRO industry? If you said: the big upfront licensing fees and the long, disruptive implementation times, then you may want to consider an on-demand, or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), solution for some of your software needs.
